The product division builds and maintains secure backend services for a major Belgian public security organisation. This role exists to upgrade and replace the current Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) backend, focusing on API and webservice development using PHP, Python and REST webservices, and operating in a GitLab CI/CD and DevOps workflow.
The mission
The ABIS project stores, processes and analyses biometric data used 24/7 by several thousand field officers. The technical landscape includes PHP and Python services, REST APIs, PostgreSQL and NoSQL stores, automated tests and GitLab CI/CD pipelines. The work aims to replace an ageing system with a more maintainable, secure and testable platform by the end of the contract period (extendable to 31/12/2026).
On a day-to-day basis you will design and deliver REST APIs and webservices that move biometric and case-related data between ABIS components and external partner services. You will work inside a multidisciplinary team of internal and external contributors, collaborate with front-end and other back-end developers, own API design and documentation, and contribute to CI/CD, security hardening and automated testing for the services you deliver.
Your responsibilities
- Design and deliver scalable REST APIs in PHP and Python that enable reliable data exchange between ABIS components and external partner services
- Implement secure data handling and application security controls to ensure the platform meets operational security requirements
- Build and maintain GitLab CI/CD pipelines and automated tests to keep releases frequent and reversible
- Collaborate with front-end and back-end colleagues to define API contracts, documentation and integration tests
- Optimise database interactions and queries across PostgreSQL and NoSQL stores for predictable performance
- Troubleshoot production incidents and contribute durable fixes, monitoring and runbook updates
Your profile
Essential skills
- Proven experience designing and implementing REST APIs and webservices in production environments
- Expert-level PHP development experience and solid Python development skills for backend services
- Practical knowledge of GitLab, CI/CD pipelines and a DevOps approach to deployments
- Experience with relational and non-relational databases, specifically PostgreSQL and NoSQL systems
- Strong understanding of application security principles and experience applying them to APIs
- Experience writing automated tests (unit, integration, contract) and maintaining test suites
- Self-directed, detail-oriented and comfortable working in a multidisciplinary team
Languages
- French, C1 (or Dutch, C1) with passive knowledge of the other at B1 level
- English, B2